National Croissant Day – January 30th
National Croissant Day is a holiday, January 30th, 2023 that is dedicated to croissants, a type of pastry made with butter and flour and shaped into a crescent.
The origin of the croissant is often attributed to Austria, where the pastry is said to have been invented in the 19th century. However, the exact history of the croissant is somewhat disputed, and it is possible that the pastry has roots in other European countries as well.
It is not clear when National Croissant Day was first celebrated or who specifically created the holiday. It is possible that the holiday was created by a group or organization as a way to promote the pastry or to celebrate its history and cultural significance.
Who Invented the Croissant?
The origin of the croissant is somewhat disputed, with several stories claiming to be the true origin of the popular pastry. Here are a few of the most well-known stories about the invention of the croissant:
- Austria: The croissant is often attributed to Austria, where it is said to have been invented in the 19th century. According to this story, the croissant was created in Vienna as a celebration of Austria’s victory over the Ottoman Empire in the Siege of Vienna in 1683. The pastry is said to be shaped like a crescent, which was the symbol of the Ottoman Empire, and to symbolize Austria’s victory over its rival.
- France: Another story credits the invention of the croissant to France, where it is said to have been created in the early 20th century. According to this story, the croissant was developed by a French baker who was inspired by the kipfel, a traditional Austrian pastry.
- Hungary: A third story credits the invention of the croissant to Hungary, where it is said to have been created in the late 19th century. According to this story, the croissant was developed by a Hungarian baker who was inspired by the kipfel and brought the pastry to France, where it became popular.
How to make croissants
Croissants are a type of pastry made with butter and flour and shaped into a crescent. They are known for their flaky, buttery layers and are a popular breakfast or snack food. Here is a basic recipe for making croissants:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (290 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 grams) active dry yeast
- 1 cup (240 mL) warm milk
- 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Stir to combine.
- Add the warm milk to the dry ingredients and stir until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and set it aside to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle and spread the butter over the top.
- Fold the dough in thirds, like a letter, and roll it out again into a rectangle.
- Fold the dough in thirds again and roll it out one more time into a rectangle.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out the dough into a large rectangle and cut it into triangles. Roll up the triangles from the wide end to the point to form croissants.
- Place the croissants on a baking sheet and bake
